Bad luck meets good fortune for Texans RB Johnson

With an injury sidelining rookie Ben Tate, the door has opened for second-year running back Jeremiah Johnson to make an impact

JOHN MCCLAIN, Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

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After missing his rookie season, Jeremiah Johnson understands Ben Tate's situation but stands to benefit from it as he moves up the Texans' running back chart.

After missing his rookie season, Jeremiah Johnson understands Ben Tate's situation but stands to benefit from it as he moves up the Texans' running back chart.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Bad luck meets good fortune for Texans RB Johnson

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Ben Tate's misfortune has provided an opportunity for second-year running back Jeremiah Johnson.

Johnson, 23, knows exactly what Tate, the second-round pick from Auburn, is going through. As a rookie last season, Johnson underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in August.

"Ben going down (with a broken ankle) is very unfortunate," Johnson said after practice Monday. "I'm getting an opportunity to carry the ball more, and I plan to make the best of it."

Johnson (5-9, 218) had no other choice as a rookie but to watch and learn. He began to put the knowledge to use in the 19-16 preseason loss at Arizona, where he carried five times for a team-high 35 yards.

"I felt truly blessed to be in a uniform again," Johnson said. "I feel like I'm making up for lost time, because that was my first game since college."

Until his senior year at Oregon, Johnson played behind Jonathan Stewart, who became a first-round pick and a 1,000-yard rusher with the Carolina Panthers. As a senior, Johnson rushed for 1,201 yards and averaged 7.1 yards a carry.

"It felt good to play again and get tackled," said Johnson, who grew up in Los Angeles. "I'm excited about getting out there again against New Orleans. I think I showed a glimpse of what I'm capable of doing.

"I feel comfortable in the running game, but there's a lot of improvement to be made in my pass protection."

By moving up a spot on the depth chart behind Arian Foster, Steve Slaton and Chris Henry, Johnson should get a lot of chances to improve his blocking this week. The Texans travel to New Orleans to practice against the Saints three times and play them in the Superdome in Saturday night's preseason game.

"I'm excited about these practices," Johnson said. "We want to hit them in the mouth and have it carry over into the game."

Coach Gary Kubiak wants to see more of Johnson, but he also might be adding a fifth back for the preseason.

Foster carried four times for 31 yards against the Cardinals. Slaton added 22 yards on 10 carries. He had one catch for 21 yards, and he lost a fumble into the end zone.

Henry carried twice for 6 yards and had one catch for 14.

"Henry and Johnson will go head-to-head in the second half of these games, and we'll see what happens," Kubiak said. "Having four guys right now, our eyes are open. We have to be because we've got a lot of preseason left.

"We've got to get these four guys ready to play. They all need a lot of time because they're such young players."

In other words, a lack of experience in the backfield can mean a breakdown in pass protection, which could get quarterback Matt Schaub injured. The idea is to keep Schaub in the lineup for 16 games again.

"He (Johnson) needs to get better as a protector and just understanding his protections and doing his job for the quarterback," Kubiak said. "The other thing he's got to do a better job of — him and Henry - is to play big on special teams.

"They each did a few good things (at Arizona), but they need to step to the forefront. They'll get a chance now."